Aircraft Mechanic Salary in 2026
Inspect, maintain, and repair aircraft engines, landing gear, and other systems.
Median Salary
$68,000
$5,667/mo
Entry Level
$48,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$92,000
experienced
Job Growth
+6%
10-yr outlook
Aircraft Mechanic Overview
Inspect, maintain, and repair aircraft engines, landing gear, and other systems.
Education
Certificate/Associate's
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Trades
Total Jobs (US)
155K
5-Year Growth
+5%
Category
Trades
Hourly Rate
$32.69/hr
Monthly Pay
$5,667
Aircraft Mechanic Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Aircraft Mechanic salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Aircraft Mechanic Salary
$77,000
$6,417/month · $2,962/biweekly · $37.02/hr
Aircraft Mechanic Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Aircraft Mechanic field.
Entry-level Aircraft Mechanics earn around $48,000, while the top 10% earn $100,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Aircraft Mechanics
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $80,000 | +$12,000 |
| Washington | $76,000 | +$8,000 |
| Texas | $67,000 | $-1,000 |
| Florida | $67,000 | $-1,000 |
| Arizona | $66,000 | $-2,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Aircraft Mechanics
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $78,000 | +$10,000 |
| Miami | $69,000 | +$1,000 |
| Dallas | $68,000 | $0 |
| Houston | $67,000 | $-1,000 |
| Phoenix | $66,000 | $-2,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Aircraft Mechanic Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Aircraft Mechanic from entry level to expert.
$48,000
0-2 years
$70,000
3-7 years
$92,000
8-14 years
$108,000
15+ years
Related Trades Jobs
Aircraft Mechanic Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Aircraft Mechanic Salary
How we calculate Aircraft Mechanic salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $68,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Aircraft Mechanic in the Trades sector.
- Entry-level ($48,000) and senior-level ($92,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +6% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 155K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 5% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Trades sector wages.
- Education requirement: Certificate/Associate's, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $68,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Aircraft Mechanic compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Aircraft Mechanic job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Trades
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Aircraft Mechanic salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Airframe Repair, Powerplant Systems, FAA Regulations), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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